Roach run



Sept. 7, 1943. A. WEIL ROACH RUN Filed Nov. 8, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR 141.5% 05/4 W ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 7, 1943 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE ROACH RUN Alex Weil, New York, N. Y.

Application November 8, 1941, Serial No. 418,276

19 Claims.

This invention relates to the extermination of roaming or crawlinginsects, such as roaches.

This application is a continuation in part of my application, Serial No.390,449, filed April 26, 1941.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple andpractical device, capable of inexpensive manufacture, for attracting orluring insects of the above-mentioned nature to a poisonouslife-destroying substance. Another object is to provide a device of theabove-mentioned character that will provide a natural attraction to suchinsects, irrespective of Whether or not the poisonous substancecontained in it functions as a lure and irrespective of whether or notit contains some other lure. Another object is to provide a device ofthe above-mentioned nature that will be capable of functioning as aboveindicated throughout a wide variety of circumstances or conditions, andstill present to such insects a close simulation of physicalenvironments which they by nature use as hiding places, runs, living orbreeding quarters or the like. Another object is to provide a device ofthe above-mentioned character that will be of dependable and inexpensiveconstruction, easy, simple and safe to handle, and capable of low costquantity production and safe and simple in use or application on thepart of the public.

Another object is to provide a construction for containing alife-destroying poisonous substance or deposit in which, withoutdetrimentally affecting the achievement of such objects as those notedabove, access to the poisonous substance or deposit by others, such ashumans, domestic animals or pets or the like, is reliably guardedagainst. Another object is to provide a device of the above-mentionedcharacter in which retention of the poisonous substance or depositagainst its discharge from the device may be achieved in a simple anddependable manner. Another object is to provide a device of theabove-mentioned character which, while containing a poisonous material,may be used with adequate safety as against poisoning or contaminatinghumans, animals, foodstulls, objects or the like.

Another object is to provide a device of the above-mentioned characterwhich will in a simple, eflicient, safe and reliable way provide orinsure internally an adequate darkness in the device simulating orapproximating physically the darkness and environment of places orregions which the insects frequent by preference, and yet expose to theinsects the poisonous material without danger of loss of the materialfrom Within the device and free from material risk of access thereto byothers than the insects themselves. Another object is to provide a device of the above-mentioned character that may be constructedinexpensively, yet be of reliable and eflicient action and strong anddurable and safe in use. Another object is to provide a device of theabove-mentioned nature that will dependably permit of a Wide range orflexibility of locating or positioning the device in practice. Anotherobject is in general to provide an improved construction for destroyingroaming or crawling insect pests, such as roaches. Other objects will bein part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention, accordingly, consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will beexemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scopeof the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown several of variouspossible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view, on a small scale, of one form of deviceembodying certain features of my invention and showing the device as itwould be placed or laid down on a supporting surface, such as a floor,table or the like, in actual use;

Figure 2 is a development of a possible conformation of a blank that maybe used in making one of the various embodiments, herein selected forillustration, of my invention and shows also the application of apoisonous material to the blank before the latter is folded into atubular form;

Figures 3 and 4 are transverse sectional views as seen, respectively,along the lines 33 and 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary or partial longitudinal sectional view of theblank of Figure 2 after the blank has been folded into a tubular form;

Figure 6 is a development of another form of blank that may be used inmaking up the device of Figure 1 and shows the application of apoisonous material to the blank before the latter is folded into tubularform;

Figure '7 is an exploded perspective View showing certain parts,including the blank of Figure 6, in subsequent stages of constructionand ready for assembly;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view as seen along the line 55 ofFigure 1, showing certain features of construction of this other form;

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective showing certain of the parts,including the blank of Figure 6, for making up an improved modificationof the device of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a blank used in making up one of the partsof Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional View of this modification as seenalong the line HH of Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary or partial longitudinal sectional view ofthis modification as seen in a vertical plane taken along the line l2-l2of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a plan view of a part of another form of the device in onestage of construction, showing also in development the shape of a blanl:that may be employed;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary or partial central vertical sectional view asseen along the line l4-l4 of Figure 15, but with a part omitted,

showing the device of Figure 13 in completed form; and

Figure 15 is a transverse sectional view, on a larger scale, of thedevice as seen along the line I 5-45 of Figure 14, and showing thedevice as applied to, for example, existing pipe line.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring first to Figure l of the drawings, the device generallyindicated by the reference character in and to which I hereinafter referto at times as a roach run, I preferably construct out of a suitablesheet material such as, preferably, a cardboard of suitable strength orstiffness, sheet fibre, or the like, and give it internally a relativelyvery small transverse cross-section and relatively great length, inrelation to the particular insect to be dealt with, and for purposes ofbest illustration let it be assumed that the insect is a roach. Withsuch proportions, certain functions and related structural features ofwhich are hereinafter set forth, a preferred cross-sectional shape isrectangular as appears from Figure 1, but it will be understood thatthat is illustrative and not by way of limitation; where rectangular incross-section and intended for roaches, illustrative and preferreddimensions of the device may be an overall length on the order of '9"with internal width of about it and internal height of about When madeof cardboard, the device if) may comprise a blank like that generallyindicated by the reference character I! in Figure 2, the blank beingprovided with longitudinal score lines 52, !3, M and I5, thus providingfive panels H5, l3, I8, Ill and 28, of which thefirst and last panels Itand 29, when the blank is folded about the score lines, overlap eachother and by whi h, preferably, upon securing the overlapping panels I6and it! together, the long small-cross-section tube-like structure abovementioned retains its form.

Preferably, before converting the blank into the just-stated tube-lil econformation, I apply to what is to be the internal face of thestructure ill, but only throughout a-central restricted band or area thepoisonous composition which, and also as to its area of application, isindicated in Figure 2 by the reference character 23'. It is applied,preferably, to the faces of the four panels that are exposed to theinterior of the structure I23, but its terminal edges 23 and: 23

extending transversely of the panels, are preferably very substantiallyspaced from the respective ends of the panels themselves, say, on theorder of three or four inches.

The material 23 is preferably made up in the form of a pasty orsemi-plastic batch, including the poisonous ingredient which, by way ofillustration, and, preferably, comprises sodium fluoride, and itpreferably includes suitable ingredients such as clay and glycerine togive it body and hence, while pasty or moldable, will have little or nodegree of mobility or flow under normal or usual conditions of use.

The material 23 is spread by any suitable means over the central ormiddle area of preferably all of the panels whose faces are to beexposed internally of the device, the material adhering to the face ofthe blank and thereafter remaining pasty 0r semi-plastic; accordingly,it does not crackle nor does it crack off of its supporting surface, andin subsequently converting the blank into the tube-like conformation thematerial 23 freely yields in the bending of the blank, as at the scorelines l2, l3, l4 and i5, and thereafter remains intact and withoutcrumbling off even though the walls of the tube structure are lexed orindented as might happen accidentally in ultimate handling or use of thecompleted devic Preferably, however, I provide at the ends of the devicesuitable means to aid in the intended functioning of the device and alsoto improve the element of safety. In one form, this means may compriseextensions, somewhat in the nature of flaps, at the respective ends ofthe panels ll, l8, E9 and 2t and in Figure 2 the left-hand extensionsthereof are shown at W L8 19- and 29 and the right-hand extensions at lll8, l9 and it respectively.

These extensions may be marked off from each other along the lines ofthe score lines l3, l4 and If), as by extensions of the latter, thusleaving the flap extensions at the ends of the several panels conn cted,at least throughout preferably a substantial extent, and if desired, theouter portions'of adjacent flap extensions may be separates cut fromeach other, preferably by cuttin away wedgelilze portions to leave asmall angle of separation as at 25. Where the blank is provid d withflap extensions at its ends as in Figure 2, their junction to the blankis preferably scored along the lines 23- and 27 so that they may befolded about toward or against the upper face of the blank as it isviewed in Figure 2, the flap extensions being of a length such thattheir outermost edges reach about halfway from the score line of foldingover to the adjacent bounding edge of the material 23.

After thus folding the flap extensions inwardly, the blanl: is nextconverted into tube-like form where the latter is to be of rectangularcross-section, the folding is done about the score lines l2, 63, id andid, bringing panel it into external overlapping relation to panel 28 asappears better in Figures 3 and 4, whil th flap extensions El, E3, liland 29 at one end and the flap extensions li i8, 52 and 25 at the otherend become internally disposed, also in tubehe form but of smallerinternal dimensions with-in the respective ends of the tube structure,being disposed partially against the respective panels ll, it, 59 and asis better shown in Figures 3 and 5.

. The parts may now be secured in position and this be done as by firstwrapping a gu-mmed tape or paper sheet 29 (Figure 1) about the centralportion of the structure, and the element 29 means, but preferably byway of rivets which conveniently take the form of eyelets, arrangedprefrably in pairs adjacent each end, each pair comprising an eyelet 30which, as shown in Figure 3, preferably passes, not only through thepanels I6 and 20, but also through the inturned extenslon 20 and aneyelet 3| positioned nearer the center of the device and hence out ofrange of the flap 20*, thus clamping only panels I6 and '20. At theright-hand end of the device as seen in Figure 1, eyelet 30 preferablypasses through panels I6 and 20 and also the flap extension 20*, eyelet3| being beyond the end of extension 20 and hence clamping panels I6 and20 directly.

Preferably, and as better appears in Figures 3 and 5, the internal endstructures, formed in this form of construction by the flap extensionsas above described, stand away somewhat from the interior walls of thetube structure, particularly at the respective inner ends thereof,providing a gap or space X which extends preferably all the way aroundwhere the poisonous material 23, in the central portion of the tubestructure, also extends all the way around the internal periphery, asbetter appears in Figure 4. Thus, each panel that carries poisonousmaterial on a portion of its inner face has a space X throughout asubstantial portion of its end or ends, the space X being formed by theend portion of the particular panel and its folded-over flap extension.Where the various flap extensions are separated by wedgelike cutouts 25,as in Figure 2, the flap extensions have greater freedom to convergeinwardly at their inner ends, thus to widen the space X at its innermostor mouth end. However, even without such convergence, the space X isnevertheless present and it may function, as later described, eventhough in the course of fabrication of the device there may result somevariation in the thickness of the space X and even though portions of aflap extension and of the panel toward which it is folded may be inactual contact, as for example, adjacent the rivet 30 in Figure 3.

If desired, the internal terminal structure thus provided at one end ofthe tube-like device by the folded flaps Il I3 I9 and 29 and provided atthe other end thereof by the folded flaps I1 I8 l9 and 26' need not beintegrally formed with the blank II and may be built up out of separatepieces of sheet material, such as cardboard, as shown at 33 and 34 inFigure 7, the blank of the tube like device I in such case being asshown in Figure which reproduces the blank of Figure 2, but without theend flap extensions.

The parts 33 and 3-4 thus comprise a suitably proportioned piece ofsheet material folded over as shown in Figure 7 to provide an externalperiphery geometrically similar to the internal periphery of thetube-like housing in, in the illustration being rectangular in shape,and preferably the peripheral dimension of the devices 33 and 34 issomewhat less than the internal peripheral dimension of the tube-likehousing I0 so that the parts 33 and 34 fit into the ends somewhatloosely, thus again to provide a space X as shown in Figure 8 similar tothe space X above described in connection with Figures 3 and 5,excepting that in the form of Figure 5 the folding over along the scoreline 26, or the score line 21, of Figure 2, as the case may be,definitely closes off the space X at the end of the tube structure.

The devices I0 of Figure 1, when constructed with inserted terminalelements is assembled by steps indicated in Figure 7. Thus, the blank IIof Figure 6, after the material 23 has been applied thereto, isconverted into tube-like form, as by folding about the score lines I2,I3, [4 and I5, bringing the panel I6 into external overlapping relationto the panel 20, whence the gummed element 29 may be applied andthereafter eyelets 3|, all as shown in Figure 7, applied to theoverlapped panels I6 and 20. Then the folded terminal elements 33 and 34are slid into the respective ends of the tube structure to a point wherethe outer edges thereof are substantially flush with the respective endedges of the tube structure, and then eyelets 30 are applied to clampthem in place, these eyelets passing not only through the overlappedpanels I6 and 20, but also through one wall member of the devices 33 and34, resulting in a cross-section at the eyelets 30, the same as thatshown in Figure 3. If desired, the devices 33 and 34, of themselve madeup of four connected panels folded along three score lines, as clearlyindicated in Figure 7, may be provided with Wedge-shaped cutouts, ifdesired, the same as the cutouts 25 of Figure 2, as indicated at 25 inFigure 7, thus to give at least the inner portions of the panels orsections of the devices greater freedom to converge inwardly and, asdescribed in connection with Figure 5, thus also to widen or enlarge theinner or mouth end of the space X. And, where the device In of Figure 1,has the internal terminal structures described in connection withFigures 6, '7 and 8, the space X need not be uniform in thickness andmay vary somewhat, particularly as a result of the relative lays whichthe sheet elements between which the space is formed may take or assume.

The device of Figures 1-8, when put into use provides, and presents tothe roach, a long relatively narrow or constricted space or passageway,

internally dark, being thus broadly similar to typical regions orspaces, such as crevices or cracks, or gaps in the building structure,kitchen. installations, like tables, cabinets, sinks or the like, and inthis respect the device forms what, to the roach, is simply anotherhide-out or place of refuge. The device is, excepting for its relativelysubstantial length, of small dimension and is easily and quicklypositioned wherever desired, including long, narrow restricted spacesalong which roaches like to roam. The internal poison ous material 23need not function as a lure, though it may, or it may be supplemented bya substance which does function as a lure, such lures usually beingsomething which the roach scents.

Thus the device, presenting an environment which roaches naturally seekout, by itself attracts them. If they partake of the substance 23, asthey would, were they to treat the device as a hideaway, its poisonwill, in due course, take effect. If they simply pass through the devicewithout eating any of the substance, they, nevertheless, may pick up ontheir bodies and legs some of the substance which, in due course, iseither absorbed into or introduced into their system by the process ofgrooming, and hence ultimately takes effect.

The device will be seen to contain good safeguards, making it safe tohandle it or expose it structures of Figures o therethrough and aidingin achieving theinternal dark effect, and the constriction furtherrestricts access to the interior. These internal terminal elements alsostrengthen and reinforce the device, aiding in resisting deformation rcrushing and aiding also in resisting forced expansion or enlargement.

Preferably, the sheet material employed, if of the cardboard type, isrelatively stiff and of good tensile strength, but even though flexing,warping, or bending of any of the portions carrying the material 23 weretotake place, the yieldable or plastic character of the material 23 letsit follow any such distortion, without crumbling or fragmentation ordislodgement from its supporting walls. Though in the preferredconstruction the inserted terminal devices need not reach or extend tothe layer or coating of material 23, they can function to providedefinite limitations to the approach of any of the material 23 towardeither open end of the device. Thus, for example, and referring toFigures 2 and 6-, should there be, in course of manufacture, anymaterial displacement of any of the material 23, as, for example, byhaving either or both of the boundary lines or edges 23 23 extend as toany panel too close to the end of the panel, the interned terminaldevice of Figure or the inserted terminal device of Figure 8, being freefrom any poisonous material on its internally exposed face or faces,would cover over any such misplaced applications of the poisonousmaterial and hence the terminal elements insure that throughout theirlengths, which may be suited to particular circumstances, there is nointernal exposure of poisonous mate rial.

Should conditions arise in handling or in use of the device, such asconditions of elevated temperature, as would tend to give the poisonousmaterial 23 mobility or flowability, or according to the nature of thematerial, an increased mobility, any flow or movement of the materialtoward the open end of the tube structure may be controlled or limitedby the action of the internal terminal elements.

Thus, viewing for example Figures 5 and S, and assuming that the panelI9 happens to be the bottom panel, movement of the pasty or plasticmaterial 23 toward the left is retarded upon reaching the inner edge ofthe element H9 in Figure 5, or of the bottom panel of the device 33 ofFigure 8. Where the initial quantity of material 23 spread over theinternal surface or surfaces is relatively small, as it would be whenapplied in a layer or coating, the just-described barrier action mightsuffice, for by the time the moving material has reached the barrier,its spread over the additional surface that intervenes the inner ends ofthe terminal device and the boundary edge or line 23 might have sothinned out the material as to preclude material continued movementthereof.

However, should stoppage not be effected in the just-stated manner, thespace X comes into action, and though it may be narrow or may be widermouthed due to the above-mentioned convergence of the parts, the movingmaterial 2.3 enters the space which thereafter continues to act somewhatin the nature of a retaining receiver therefor, whether or not the spaceX is open or closed at its left-hand end as viewed in Figures 1, 5 and8. The narrowness of the space X makes it possible for the enteringmaterial to contact both faces of the sheet material that form the spaceX and the two faces together act to hold and retain the entered orentering material. Thus a further spreading out of any flowing materialtakes place, but it spreads onto or over one or both of the contiguousfaces of the parts forming the space X, and not upon the internallyexposed face or surface of the internal terminal element throughoutwhose length, suited to any particular circumstances, its internalsurface or walls remain free from contamination.

Certain other advantages and certain advantageous coactions may beachieved if the general principles of construction and arrangement shownin Figures 9-12 are followed; thus, I may first build up a tube-likestructure utilizing a blank like the blank i 5 of Figure 6, an adhesivetape or label 29 and eyelets or rivets 3i, as was desc'ibed inconnection with Figures 1-8, and then maize up the inserted safetyterminal devices 3335 of Figure '7 in the form shown in Figures 9-12wherein this other form of construction is generally indicated by thereference character 36.

Thus, each of the two end terminal devices may be made out of a blankshown in development in Figure 10 and provided with score lines 31, 38and 39 whereby the device is sub-divided into four panels ll, and 43 sothat, when folded about the score lines, it provides a tube-like elementdimensioned and shaped generally as was described in connection withFigures 3, 7 and 8 to be received into the respective ends of thetubellke housing or structure containing the poisonous material 23.

In panel 52 (Figure 10) are provided two transverse score lines M and 35and lines of cutting d'l, 4s and 49, thus providing a flap which may bebent or folded about score line 4d and out of the plane of panel 42.

in a generally similar manner, the panel 4!! is provided with transversescore lines 52 and 53 and lines of cutting E and thus providing a flapelement 55 which may be bent or folded about score line and hence out ofthe plane of the panel it.

In folding the four panels G l, 52 and 43 into tube-like shape for entryinto the ends of the tube-like housing structure, thus giving it aconformation bett r shown in Figure 9, these flap elements 58 and 525are folded inwardly to a position about at ri ht angles to theirrespective base or supporting panels, and where they include anadditional transverse score line like the score lines :35 and 53, theyare also bent or folded about these score lines and into therelationships better shown in Figures 9 and 11 from which it will beseen that fiap element as thus has a portion 55 forming a partialpartition transversely of the interior and an end portion 52 thatextends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, while fiap element55 has a portion 55 that forms a transverse partial partition and aportion 55 that extends lengthwise of or parallel to the longitudinalaxis. As is better shown in Figures 9 and 12, these parts are relativelysnugly received between the upper and lower panels 4| and 43 which mayaid in holding them in these positions, depending upon the extent offrictional contact therebetween, though the resistance of the sheetmaterial against recovery at the fold lines 44, 45, 52 and 53 should besufficient to hold them in substantially the angular relationships shownin the drawings.

Two such devices 36 are now inserted into the respective ends of thetube structure, each with s that end having the flap element 55 beingentered first into the tube, whence the additional eyelet or rivet 30(see Figure 11) is put in position to clamp together panels I6, 20 and43, much in the same manner as described above in connection with Figure3.

The resultant structure again provides the space X and other structuraland functional relationships above described in connection with Figures1-8, but as appears better from Figure 11, the elements 53 and 55, whilenot hindering free entry or exit movement of roaches or the like, as forexample, along the broken line of the arrow 51, using either panel 43 orpanel 4| as a floor according to which way the device is initially laiddown, while the parts 53 and 55 are so proportioned and positioned as tointercept or break up any light ray entering the otherwise open end ofthe device. Thus, the element of darkness may be materially accentuatedinternally of the device where the poisonous food material 23 ispositioned, and though the somewhat labyrinthean passageway effectivelyblocks off the major portion of light, I have found in practice that itdoes not hinder or deter roaches from passing therethrough and it ispossible that its labyrinthean nature enhances the element ofnaturalness of environment to the roach. The elements 50 and 55, eachproviding at least one 90 bend and providing two such bends Where theadditional fold lines 45 and 53 are employed also give the deviceincreased resistance to deformation or crushing when made of paper stockor fibre stock. In appearance also, they give the effect of a completeclosure at the end or ends of the device, and thus improve the safetyelement, also offering some physical resistance and restriction againstattempts to explore the interior as, for example, by the finger of ahand.

The space X functions as described above in connection with Figures 1-8,and if it is desired to have the inner end portions of the insertedsafety terminal devices, in the form of Figures 9-12, converge inwardly,slits or cutouts 25, like those of Figures 2 and 7, may be provided, atthe inner end portions of the score lines 31, 38 and 39, of Figure 10,the insert then appearing somewhat as in Figure 9.

As above indicated, the device may be given a cross-sectional shapeother than rectangular or four-sided and, by way of illustration, itcrosssectional shape, instead of being polygonal, may be curved orcircular, as shown by way of illustration in Figures 13-14. Thus theblank may take the form indicated at I l in Figure 13, being in generalshaped much the same as the blank I l of Figure 2, particularly where itis preferred that the internal safety terminal elements be formedintegrally with the blank itself, instead of separately and theninserted, though it will be clear that the latter procedure may, ifdesired, be adopted, asin the case of the form of Figures 6, 7, and 8.

Accordingly, the blank ll of Figure 13 may be shaped in general as shownin that figure, being provided with transverse fold lines 26 and 21 anda suitable number of flap extensions 60 preferably at each end thereofand also preferably shaped somewhat as shown in Figure 13, beingseparated by slits or cutouts 25. It is shaped to leave a longitudinallyextending marginal portion 6| to function, like the panels it of Figures2 and 6 as an overlap and the poisonous material 23 is applied to anarea limited lengthwise by the boundary lines 23- and 23 which extend,in relation to the proportion of the other parts, preferably alongspacings as described above in connection with Figures ii2, butpreferably also is limited by longitudinally extending boundary lines 23and 23 both of which are spaced substantially from the longitudinaledges of the blank, preferably by an amount commensurate with the widthof the overlap portion (ii.

The flaps 60 at the two end are folded inwardly about their respectivefold lines 26 and 21, whence the blank is converted into tube-likeconformation as by rolling it up into cylindrical form, bringing thepanel or overlap portion 6| into overlapping relation and externally ofthe other longitudinal end portion of the blank, as is better shown inFigure 15, these overlapping portions being thence secured together inany suitable or desired way, including, desired, a gummed tape or sheetelement as to hold it in tube-like shape, whence it may be put to use aswill now be clear in view of what has been above said in connectionwith, particularly, Figures 1-8.

Preferably, however, the fiap extensions 60 are provided with lines ofcutting as indicated in Figure 13 at U3, being generally U -shaped inconformation, thus to form tabs or tongues 64 which, preferably beforerolling the blank up into tubular form and more conveniently also beforefolding the parts 6U about their respective fold lines 26 and 2i, arepushed out of the plane of their respective fiap extensions and folded,in a direction away from the observer looking at Figure 13, into asubstantially 9U relationship, so that when the tube structure iscompleted, these tabs 64 project inwardly at substantially toward theaxis of the tube structure, appearing as shown in Figures 14 and 15, andfunctioning to aid in blocking off light rays from entry into theinterior and thus aiding in creating the element of darkness interiorlyof the tube structure. In a peripheral direction, they are suiiicientlyspaced from each other to give adequate freedom of entry or exit to theinsect. Preferably, these tabs are set nearer the outer ends of theinternal safety devices, as appears better in Figure 14, thus leaving asubstantial unbroken axial length of the elements 6i] projectinginwardly from each end of the tube structure.

The space 23; is again present as is indicated in Figures 14 and 15,functioning as was above described in connection with Figures 1-12, itbeing noted that the narrow siits or cutouts 25 may, or may not, be usedas desired, though when employed they may function, as in the otherforms, to provide for greater freedom of convergence inwardly of theinner portions of the safety terminal devices and thus provide a widermouth for the entry of such of the poisonous material 23 as may reachthem after spreading over the intervening uncoated internal surfaces ofthe tube structure respectively to the left and to the right of theboundary lines 23 and 23*.

Since roaches, particularly, frequent places where there is piping andfrequently use as a passageway the space or crack about a pipe where itpasses through a floor, wall, partition or the like, I find itadvantageous to bring my device into direct ccaction with a pipe or likeelement, and since such elements are usually cylindrical, thecylindrical tube structure above described is peculiarly adaptable forsuch coacting relationship with a length of pipe, and in Figure theabove-described device is shown in relation toa pipe the inturned tabsGt may conveniently serve to space the internal wall of the tubestructure from the external cylindrical surface of the pipe, andaccordingly insure a continuous annular passageway between the insidewall of the tube structure and the outside of the pipe.

Depending upon the specific proportionnig of the parts, including thelength of the inturned tabs E l, some or all of the latter may beinengagement with the pipe and a more or less close approximation toconcentricity of the two structures provided. But the tabs 65, in anycase, prevent those portions of the internal surfaces of the tubestructure that carry the poisonous material 23 from getting close enoughto the pipe 66 to bring about a contamination of the latter or atransfer by contact of poisonous material to the pipe itself.

Where applied to piping, the d vice is preferably made up in differentsizes as to width in a circumferential direction of the blank li and asto the length of the tabs 64, thus to suit best various sizes of pipesmet with in practice, Thus, for example, one size of device may be madeup and proportioned to be suitable for and A" pipe, another size made upfor l" and 1 pipe, and so on..

When rolled into cylindrical form, I preferably provide suitable stopelements to fix the extent of overlap of the portion 6i and hence to fixthe internal diameter, such an arrangement be ing preferable anddesirable where the device is not initially permanently secured intube-like form and where it has to be positioned about a pipe. In thelatter case, it may be shipped to the place of installation in flat formor it may be shipped in tubular form, whence it is openedup or unrolledand then placed about the pipe.

A convenient and suitable arrangement of this character comprises twoelements generally indicated by the reference characters 8? and 58 tofunction. as both stop and fastening elements, and each may comprise aWasher 69 of a mate: rial like relatively stiff cardboard or fibre boardsecured to the blank ll as by a rivet or eyelet being positioned inlongitudinally spaced relation along the lower edge of the blank il asseen in Figure 13, with the washer element 65 on the underside. 7

Accordingly, when the flat blank is rolled into cylindrical shape, theoverlap portion bl is slid under the two spaced washers 58 and broughtup against the shanks of the rivets or eyelets '10 as appears better inFigure 15. Thence, the adhesive sheet member 29 may be put in place tofix the blank against unrolling or unfolding, and preferably I alsoprovide, for each of the devices 67 and 68 and also clamped by theclamping action of the rivet It, a string or cord H which, after tuckingthe overlap 6! under the washers till nay then be wrapped once or moretimes about the tube structure and its free end then wrapped about theshank of the rivet in under the washer 69, the Wedging action of theparts upon this latter portion of the string or cord holding it againstunwinding.

Such a fastening arrangement is thus detach able. For example, forfactors of safety against contamination, the device may be ship d intube form with the just-described taste put in place, whence it may beused simply a tube structure, whether or not the gummed element cansuperimposedor, of it is to be applied about the pipe, the fasenngs maybe easily undoneby unwinding the string, the device about the pipe, andthe fastenings quickly restored. Inths latter case also, removabify ofthedevice from the pipe is quickly facilitated, for purposes ofreplacement or discard.

Where a detachable fastenii is preferable to restric area of thepoisonous material d3 tran blank, as by the boundary lines already abovedescribed; Such rest icted nrtial application thus leaves freesubstantial upper and lower marginal portions of the blank li viewed'inFigure 13, to lessen the chance of contact with the substance inun'rolling or rolling up the device. Also, and will appear better fromFigure egress of any of the substance, should it become mobile, by wayof the joint formed longitudinally at the overlap is restricted sincethe material, if it artakes of any movementor flow, has to" spreaditself over a substantial area, thus'becoming thinned out, before itreaches the joint, and if it reaches and enters the joint, retardationof flow take place by an action like that above describ d in connectionwith the spaces X at the internal safety terminal devices.

Where the cylindrical form of constructionof Figures 13-15 is employed,it will, of course, be understood that it is preferable to make it up inrelatively small diameter, a diameter on the-order of 1* or so; if is tobe used independently of an interior cylindrical element like thepipefifi of Figure 1'5, thust'o enhance the element of darkness withinthe tube structure, and that it is preferable, where an element likepipe 66 of Figure 15' is to be employed, to have the annular spacebetween the tube structure and the internal cylindrical element ofrelatively small. dimension, on the order, for examme, of 1", in orderalso to enhance the element of darkness in the annular space. In bothinstances, it is preferable to have the flap or tab elements 64'function as above described to diminish the amount of light entering thespace in which the poisonous material 23' is accessible.

Thus it will be seen that there has been provided in this invention adevice in which the various objects above noted together with manythoroughly practical advantages are success fully achieved. The deviceis of dependable, durable and inexpensive construction, of eifioient'and safe action, and may be disposed or positioned in a'wide variety oflocations, and with a high factor of safety. Moreover, it will be seenthat the device is well adapted to meet the widely varying conditions ofpractical use.

Asmany possible embodiments may, be made of the above invention and asmany changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth; it is tobe understood that all matter h'erein'before set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to" be interpreted as illustra'tive and not ina limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a housing made of asheet material and being of tube-like conformation, havingcrosssectional dimensions that are small compared to its length toprovide an interior relatively dark, an area of its internal wallsbearing a life-destroying substance, said tube-like housing havingsafety terminal structures positioned internally at its respective ends,each terminal structure comprising means of sheet material also ofsubstantially tube-like conformation with an external peripheraldimension substantially the same as the internal peripheral dimension ofsaid tube-like housing and of a length to extend a substantial distanceinwardly from the end of said tube-like housing, said tube-like terminalstructures having flap or tab elements projecting inwardly thereof at anangle to the axis of said tube-like housing for partially closing offthe ends of the latter and to break up light rays entering the tube-likehousing from the ends.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said tube-like housing andsaid tube-like terminal structures are in cross-section in the form of afour-sided right-angled polygon of which two opposite faces form theupper and lower sides and the two remaining opposite faces form theremaining two sides of the tube-like housing, said tab or flap elementsextending from one of said sides toward the opposite side and arerelatively snugly received between the two remaining sides.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said tube-like housing andsaid terminal structures are substantially cylindrical, the tab or flapelements of said terminal structures extending in the general directionof a radius and being of insuflicient peripheral extent to completelyblock off the ends of the tube-like housing for passage therethrough ofinsects.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the sheet material of saidinternal terminal structures is separate from the sheet material of saidtube-like housing, with means securing said structures in placeinternally of said tube-like housing and adjacent the ends thereof.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the sheet material of saidterminal structures is integral with the sheet material of saidtube-like housing, the former comprising extensions of the latter foldedinwardly toward or against the inside wall of said tube-like housingalong its end portions.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said tube-like housing andsaid internal terminal structures are cylindrical in shape, said tab orflap elements extending substantially along respective radii, but beingshorter than the radius, thereby to act as spacers for holding theinternal surfaces of said tube-like housing and of said terminalstructures from engagement With, and in spaced relation to, an internalcylindrical element like a pipe.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said tube-like housing isformed out of the sheet material by converting a blank of the latterinto tube-like conformation with longitudinal edge portions of the blankbrought into overlapping 1 relation, with means operating upon saidoverlapping end portions to hold them against separation and thus totake part in retaining the tube-like conformation of said internalterminal structures.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said tube-like housing isformed out of the sheet material by converting a blank of the latterinto tube-like conformation with longitudinal edge portions of the blankbrought into overlapping relation, with means detachably securing saidoverlapping portions together, whereby the tubelike housing with itsinternal terminal struc tures may be placed about a pipe or the like andthe overlappin portions secured to ether, said flap or tab elementsspacing the internal surfaces of the device and also saidlife-destroying substance from the pipe.

9. A device of the character described comprising a housing made of asheet material and being of tube-like conformation, havingcross-sectional dimensions that are small compared to its length toprovide an interior relativel dark, an area of its internal wallsbearing a life-destroying substance, saic; tube-like housing havingsafety terminal structures positioned internally at its respective ends,each terminal structure comprising means of sheet material also ofsubstantially tube-like conformation with an external peripheraldimension substantially the same as the internal peripheral dimension ofsaid tube-like housing and of a length to extend a substantial distanceinwardly from the end of said tube-like housing, the respective boundinglines of the area of said substance being spaced a substantial distancefrom the respective inner end edges of said internal terminal structuresto provide intervening areas of substantial axial dimension along whichspread of said substance must first take place in the event of flow,before it reaches said terminal structures.

10. A device of the character described coinrising a housing made of asheet material and being of tube-like conformation, havingcrosssectional dimensions that are small compared to its length toprovide an interior relatively dark, an area of its internal wallsbearing a life-destroying substance, said tube-like housing havingsafety terminal structures positioned internally at its respective ends,each terminal structure comprisin means of sheet material also ofsubstantially tube-like conformation with an external peripheraldimension substantially the same as the internal peripheral dimension ofsaid tubelike housing and of a length to extend a substantial distanceinwardly from the end of said tube-like housing, the respective boundinglines of the area of said substance being spaced 2. substantial distancefrom the respective inner end edges of said internal terminal structuresto provide intervening areas of substantial axial dimension along whichspread of said substance must lfirst take place in the event of flow,before it reaches said terminal structures, the sheet ma.- terials ofsaid terminal structures being free from continuous contact orengagement with the contiguous inside surfaces of said tube-likehousing, thereb to provide relatively narrow spaces for the entrythere-into of said substance should its spread, by flow, reach saidterminal structures.

11. A device of the character described comprising a housing made of asheet material and being of tube-like conformation, havingcrosssectional dimensions that are small compared to its length toprovide an interior relatively dark, an area of its internal wallsbearing a life-destroying substance, said tube-like housing havingsafety terminal structures positioned internally at its respective ends,each terminal structure comprising means of sheet material also ofsubstantially tube-like conformation with an external peripheraldimension substantially the same as the internal peripheral dimension ofsaid tubelike housing and of a length to extend a substantial distanceinwardly from the end of said tubelike housing, the respective boundinglines of the area of said substance being spaced a substantial distancefrom the respective inner end edges of said internal terminal structuresto provide in tervening areas of substantial axial dimension along whichspread of said substance must first take place in the event of flow,before it reaches said terminal structures, the sheet materials of saidterminal structures being free from continuous contact or engagementwith the conti uous inside surfaces of said tube-like housing, therebyto provide relatively narrow spaces for the entry thereinto of saidsubstance should its spread, or flow, reach said terminal structures,the inner end portions of said terminal structures being convergentinwardly toward the axis of said tube like housing to provide widermouths for the innor open ends of said spaces.

12. A device or" the character described comprising a tube-like housingof substantial length having a life-destroying substance spread over arestricted area of its internal walls, a bounding line of said areabeing spaced substantially from an end of said housing, said end of saidhousing having internally thereof a safety terminal structure forrestricting the area of the opening at said end and thereby diminish theamount of light entering therethrough, said terminal structure extendinginwardly from said end of said housing throughout a substantial distancetoward said bounding line and presenting a surface exposed to theinterior of said housing that is free from life-destroying substance.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12 in which said terminal structure andthe contiguous wall of said tube-like housing provide therebetween aspace for the entry of said 1ife-destroying substance in the event thatthe latter partakes of flow in-a direction toward said end of saidhousns.

'14. A device as claimed in claim 12 provided with means partiallyblocking off the opening presented at said end of said tube-like housingfor additionally cutting off light rays from entry into the interior ofsaid housing. 7

15. .A device as claimed in claim 12 in which said terminal structure ismade of a sheet material which has flap or tab means bent to projectinto the opening presented by said end of said tube-like housing toretard entry of light.

it. A device as claimed .in claim 12 in which there is a means formingan internal wall spaced inwardly from and about the internal wall ofsaid tube-like housing and said terminal structure, vn'th means holdingthem in spaced relation, thereby providing a relatively narrowperipheraily continuous space therebetween for entry of insects and foraccess thereby to said substance.

l'7. .A device as claimed in claim v12 in which the cross-sectionaldimensions of said tube-like housing and terminal structure are greaterthan those of an extraneous part like a pipe, whereby said tube-likehousing and terminal structure are receivable over a pipe, and means forholdmg the tube-like housing and terminal structure spaced from thesurface of the pipe.

18. A device as claimed in claim .12 in which said tube-like housing ismade up of a flexible sheet material converted into tube-likeconformation with two longitudinal edge portions of the blank broughtinto overlapping relation, and means for securing said overlappingportions together.

19. A device as. claimed in claim 12 in which said tube-like housing ismade up or a flexible sheet. material converted into tube-likeconformation with two longitudinal edge portions of the blank broughtinto overlapping relation, and meansv readily operated manually I" orholding said portions :in overlapping relation and for holding the blankagainst opening up out .of tube-like conformation, whereby saidtube-like housing may :be readily assembled about an extraneous parts,such as :a pipe.

ALEX WELL.

